New Jersey church sparks movement after sending care package to member with coronavirus

close

Video

New Jersey church sparks movement after sending care package to congregation member stricken with COVID-19

Insight from Evangel Church Pastor Chris Morante.

Get all the latest news on coronavirus and more delivered daily to your inbox. Sign up here.

A New Jersey church sparked a nationwide movement after shipping one of its members who tested positive for the coronavirus a care package.

Chris Morante, the pastor of Evangel Church in Scotch Plains, told "Fox & Friends First" how he started "Boxes of Hope," which nationwide is through GetBoxesOfHope.com.

AMERICA TOGETHER: MISSOURI SMALL TOWN RALLIES AROUND FAMILY WHO LOST EVERYTHING IN FIRE

"We've always been committed to reaching our neighbors," Morante said. "We always say our mission field is across the street and around the world, so we began to mobilize our efforts as soon as we saw the crisis beginning."

Chris Morante, the pastor of Evangel Church in Scotch Plains, told 'Fox & Friends First' how he started 'Boxes of Hope.'
(Fox & Friends First)

The church partnered with Convoy of Hope and World Help — two disaster relief organizations — after they learned that a member of its flock had tested positive for COVID-19.

NURSES GATHER TO PRAY ON ROOFTOPS DURING CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

After the pastor reached out to that person, he noticed how much hopelessness they had in the dire situation.

"We wanted to do something tangible to show God's love, so we just delivered some groceries in a box to their front door," the pastor said.

TEXAS FAMILY HOSTS 'PROM ON THE PORCH' WHEN BIG DANCE IS CANCELED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

And after they saw the hope it brought one family, they started doing it en masse, shipping out 600 boxes in the New Jersey area.

Morante said the response has been amazing.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE STORIES ON FAITH

"People come to the door in tears," he said. "For you to know that you're not forgotten, there's a God that sees you and loves you and there's someone in a church that cares about you. It really means the world to people."